Work is progressing on building an exciting, historic, nature-based open space and leisure facility at the exciting Kingsway development, Gloucestershire’s fastest growing homes, jobs and leisure destination, located on the A38 just south of Gloucester.
Jane Jarvis of Cooper Partnership in Bristol, which has designed and produced the innovative scheme, says “This is an exciting wide-ranging project involving various, carefully planned landscape restoration and planting operations. The key aim is to increase the biodiversity of this area to help attract a wider variety of insects, birds, mammals and other wildlife, and provide a pleasant environment for local residents.”
At the heart of the scheme is the exciting restoration of the schedule moat and orchard areas of the historic Manor Farm, which is located at the centre of the development area.
Manor Farm is a 15th Century Grade 2 listed building. Its partially water-filled moat is of mediaeval origin and is thought to have been originally associated with a 13th Century manor house. The original orchard covers an area of 1.5 hectares and contains old English apple and Perry pear varieties.
Explains Jane, “Restoration of the orchard has included hedges laid in the traditional local style together with the planting of traditional pear and apple varieties such as Black Worcester and the 18th Century Ashmeads Kernal.”
These historic feature areas flank an attractive local space amenity that includes the first of several new football pitches and play areas linked by rural style cycle routes.
Also within the open space are three exceptional old oak trees (including one veteran oak), which have survived far longer than the typical age range of such trees. Other new tree planting has been undertaken including Field Maple, Walnut, Wild Service and Lime.
The open space area has been further enhanced by eye-catching wildflower meadow areas, together with a carefully managed and protected habitat for Great Crested Newts. The Great Crested is the largest of the British native newts, reaching up to 17cms in length. It can be identified by its bright orange/yellow under belly colouring on a mainly black body. The male has a jagged crest on its back.
Adds Jane, “The population of these creatures has been in major decline so now the newts and their habitats – such as we have here on Kingsway - are protected under UK and European law. Advice on their habitats has been provided by Ecology Solutions.”
Jane continues, “The implementation of this first open space phase should be fully completed within the next 4 to 6 months and I am sure that it will in time become a focal point of what is a most exciting 21st Century modern day living destination. As this scheme matures we’re sure it will offer a unique leisure experience to those who care about and enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the trees, plants, wildlife and general natural environment around them.”